Biography
Allan Forsyth (b. 1971) is a photographic artist based in London. Forsyth's work explores a breadth of themes, reflected in the range of techniques he employs: analogue and digital exposures taken by the artist exist in his work, alongside computer generated imagery, photograms, and photographic collages from historic magazines and vintage postcards.
Forsyth’s work conveys his love of the drama of nature, seeking to expand the beauty of natural forms that we sometimes overlook in everyday life showing an extra dimension in his work. The resulting works are mesmerising, vivid images of flora and fauna created by Forsyth using various photographic techniques to enhance colour and create movement.
Forsyth often uses extensive digital manipulation in editing his images, resulting in a photographic aesthetic that is highly stylised and immediately recognisable. He identifies himself as 'an artist that uses photography' rather than a photographer, emphasising the importance of the image over the tools and processes. This move away from the camera has also led Forsyth to explore camera-less photo imaging techniques like the photogram, a Victorian Era process in which light projected onto photosensitive paper captures the silhouette of an object placed in front of it.
Forsyth's work is exhibited and collected internationally. His awards include Certificate of Commendation at RHS Chelsea Flower Show (2011), Best Landscape for Brooklyn at the Royal West of England Academy, Bristol (2008) and the ICON Art & Design Award (2004).
Exhibitions
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Allan Forsyth @ The Club at Café Royal
6 Oct - 11 Nov 2017Gallery Elena Shchukina and The Club at Café Royal are delighted to present a new exhibition of photographic artworks by London based artist Allan Forsyth.Read more -
Perish Lens
28 Jan - 5 Mar 2016Contemporary photography exhibition by Allan Forsyth, Christoffer Joergensen, and Seung-Hwan Oh at Gallery Elena Shchukina, MayfairRead more -
Allan Forsyth Chasing Light - Following Shadow
28 Jan - 6 Mar 2015Allan Forsyth's second exhibition with Gallery Elena Shchukina encompasses light box installations, photograms and computer-generated imagery. Presenting an eclectic combination of photography-based works, the show references various leading modern and contemporary artists. A light box hyper-realistically enhances a butterfly's metallic tones as another draws inspiration from Dan Flavin's practice yet relies on a colourful LED screen rather than individual fluorescent tubes to illuminate the space. Various photograms referencing photographer Adam Fuss feature ephemeral water ripples and small air and sea creatures. In a nod to Andrés Serrano's iconic Piss Christ,...Read more -
Allan Forsyth Vivid Light
6 Feb - 28 Mar 2014Gallery Elena Shchukina is delighted to host new and recent works of Scottish artist Allan Forsyth (b. 1971). The photography-ˇbased exhibition runs from 6 February to 28 March 2014. Forsyth's practice often reflects the drama of nature through a range of techniques including analogue and digital exposures, computer generated imagery and photograms. Whether they be saturated colours or faded tones, Forsyth's work is imbued with a certain feeling and subjectivity, in which light plays an important role. Light fills flora and fauna with a sense of energy or tranquillity. Vivid...Read more
Related press
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Gallery Elena Shchukina at Art Bahrain
Time Out Bahrain, September 30, 2015 -
Allan Forsyth: Chasing Light - Following Shadow
Wall Street International, January 30, 2015 -
Allan Forsyth: The photographer who doesn't like the camera
The Inedpendent, March 11, 2014 -
Allan Forsyth: Vivid Light
Hunger, March 8, 2014 -
Allan Forsyth: Vivid Light
Time Out, January 27, 2014